epistle for January 18, 2002
Posted by: ccfmo <ccfmo@...>
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Dr. Curt Scarborough, President FreeWay Foundation January 18, 2002
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In this issue:
Sermon: II Samuel 23
Bible Study: Ruth 3
Personal Growth of the Minister
Accreditation and Certification
"UNKNOWN SOLDIERS"
(II Samuel 23)
After World War I, the Allies (Belgium, France, Great Britain, Italy, and the United States) chose symbolic unidentified soldiers, buried the remains near national capitals, and built monuments to these Unknown Soldiers. Monuments were erected, for example, under the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, in Westminster Abbey in London, and at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C.
On November 11, 1921, a white marble sarcaphagus was dedicated and a 24-hour-a-day sentry was posted as an honor guard. The inscription reads: "Here rests in honored glory an American soldier known but to God."
Unknown soldier . . . unsung heroes. The Bible contains accounts of many such men and women. In our text (II Samuel 23), look at three such unsung heroes.
1. Eleazer (9, 10) "He arose and attacked the Philistines until his hand
was weary, and his hand stuck to the sword."
2. Shammah (11, 12) "He stationed himself in the midst of a bean field,
defended it, and killed the Philistines."
3. Benaiah (20-22) "He had gone down and killed a lion in the midst of
a pit on a snowy day."
Eleazer, Shammah, and Benaiah were good soldiers, and each of these warriors teaches us a valuable lesson.
First, good soldiers are faithful in spite of fatigue. Eleazer . . . like you and like me . . . got physically and spiritually weary. Exhausted! But he fought on and on until his hand stuck (froze) to his weapon. Real heroes keep swinging . . . "fighting the good fight" . . . long after others have gotten tired and quit.
My wife's father, the late Rev. Floyd Jent, was such a soldier. I have his old sword (Bible) in my study. That old book cover has the prints of his fingers where he gripped the Word while he preached. He left his fingerprints there, and the Bible left its imprints on his hands, and on his heart.
Second, good soldiers are faithful in places of obscurity. Shammah . . . like you and like me . . . had been assigned an obscure pea patch to defend. His was not the glamorous charge into a smashing victory astride a white stallion. Rather, his was an insignificant holding skirmish in a bean field way out in the country, ten miles from the county seat town of Podunk Holler. Real heroes keep on fighting Philistines in unhearlded battles far away from the cheers of the crowd.
Such obscure, unsung heroes remind me of Edward Kimball, a humble Sunday School teacher in Chicago more than a century ago. Kimball led a shoe salesman (Dwight L. Moody) to faith in Christ. His influence continued through a half-dozen generations of men to Billy Graham, who has preached literally to millions of people around this world. The unknown soldier, Kimball, will share in the heavenly rewards of the most highly regarded Christian of this century, Billy Graham.
Third, good soldiers are faithful in times of difficult circumstances. Benaiah . . . like you and like me . . . was called on to fight in a less-than-ideal situation. He did not use the flimsy excuses which too often come to our minds. That lion wasn't going anywhere or harming anyone, or even threatening anyone! Besides, it was a snowy day!
But he attacked and killed a lion in a pit. Real heroes don't wait until a better day, when the weather is favorable. They attack the "roaring lion" enemy anytime, anywhere!
The standing orders are, in the words of Paul to Timothy, "Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season." (II Timothy 4:2)
To my fellow ministers, I issue these challenges:
1. Hang on to your sword! In spiritual battle, the Bible needs
to be "frozen" to our hands.
2. Defend your own pea patch! Don't look over the fence,
wishing you were in another guy's bean field. Take care
of your own pea patch, which the commander has
assigned to you.
3. Don't be a "fair weather" soldier! During the Revolutionary War,
Thomas Paine wrote a pamphlet warning the colonists not to be
"summer soldiers . . . sunshine patriots." He referred to cowardly
soldiers who, when the shooting started, went AWOL and ran for
the hills. How much more important it is for Christian soldiers to be
faithful in battle regardless of spiritual inclement weather!
Most of us . . . pastors, associates, denominational execs . . . are, in the eyes of the general public, unknown soldiers. Yet, let me remind all of us that . . . unlike the inscription to the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery . . . our Commander-in Chief, the Lord Jesus Christ, stands ready now to say these words: "Well done, good and faithful soldier."
And we're not unknown, but well known soldiers to Him!
A Night on the Threshing Floor
(Ruth 3:1-18)
I. Concentrations: on the events of this chapter
1. Naomi instructed Ruth on what to do to get Boaz to take the proper
actions to bring her "security" (v. 1) by taking her as his wife, vv. 1-5.
2. Ruth went to the threshing floor, observed where Boaz lay down for the
night, and (as Naomi had instructed her) uncovered his feet and lay
down there, vv. 6-8.
3. Boaz awoke and, after some discussion, accepted Ruth's request to become
her husband and "redeemer," vv. 9-15.
4. Ruth brought Boaz' generous gift of grain back to Naomi, who perceived
that he would conclude the arrangements that very day, vv. 16-18.
II. Meditation and Revelation: on some significant details seen here
1. "Relative" (v. 2) refers to the cultural obligation of a family member to
care for kinfolk who have suffered loss. The expression "kinsman-
redeemer" is often used to convey the idea of the combination of a
human relationship with a divinely appointed "recoverer" who was
qualified to "redeem" another relative from slave status or recoup
property once owned but now lost by reason of indebtedness.
2. Ruth "uncovered his feet" (v. 7): The obvious purpose was that the chill of
the night would awaken Boaz, and he would discover her at his feet.
"Was startled" (v. 8) may be translated, "shivered with cold."
3. "Under your wing" (v. 9) is literally "spread the corner of your garment
over" . . . referencing the ancient Middle Eastern custom of casting a
garment over one being claimed for marriage. This act does not imply
anything so inappropriate as a midnight sexual encounter!
4. Although Ruth took the initiative in approaching Boaz (probably because
he was shy due to their age difference, v. 10) her actions should not be seen
as seductive and inconsistent with the spiritual nobility of the book. To the
contrary, Boaz' words, "You are a virtuous woman," (v. 11), make it clear that
he believed her to be highly moral. "Do not let it be known" (v. 14) was a
precaution to avoid the possibility of anyone's misunderstanding of Ruth's
actions that night.
III. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Assume the personal responsibility of caring for my needy relatives.
2. Be respectful and obedient to the God-honoring advice given by my elders.
3. Rest in peace and assurance "under the wings" of my Redeemer, Almighty
God, Psalm 36:7; Matthew 23:37.
4. Live a life of purity and virtue, taking care that observers are not offended or
led astray by the questionable "appearances" of my innocent actions,
I Thessalonians 5:22.
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Wit & Wisecrack: Twain said, "It takes your enemy and your friend, working together, to hurt you to the heart: The one to slander you and the other to get the news to you."
Personal Growth of the Minister
by Dr. David Claybrook, Pastor
Christ Church - St. Louis
Dear JD,
I hope you don't mind if I call you JD. If you are expecting me to write you from time to time over the next few months, I prefer to abbreviate your name rather than having to always write out Jesus' Disciple. Anyway, abbreviations are "in", ie., IHOP, KFC, FYI, etc. (No! The last one is not a restaurant.) By the way, you can call me BD, Bro. Dave, since we are brothers in Christ. Just try to avoid calling me DUMB, though you will probably be tempted to from time to time.
Since you have asked me to give you some insights regarding personal spiritual growth as a minister, I will do my best. However, I will not be like Paul who said, "Therefore I urge you to imitate me." (I Corinthians 4:16) Much of what I have learned has been learned by doing it wrong, rather than right, so I will not often set myself up as an example. After all, you want to be a disciple of Jesus, not of me, right! With that in mind, let's begin.
A good place to start is Mark 3:14-15. "He appointed twelve - designating them apostles - that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons." A true disciple of Jesus actually has three callings. Do you see them? Which calling most captivates you? If you see yourself primarily as a "preacher" that role will jump out at you. If you think of yourself as a "pastor" then the authority to help people get free from their bondages will enthuse you. So far we have two roles: Preacher and Pastor.
These two roles, along with administration, YUCK! (Sorry, personal bias slipped in) are considered by most today as the main responsibilities of the minister: the BIG THREE. However, in our passage the third calling is different, Jesus calls all of his disciples to simply "be with him." In fact, Jesus mentions this one first. Could it be priority number one? Evidently, we are not called first to preach and pastor, but to abide in the presence of Jesus. Take time out right now and find a poem to go with this and you have a great sermon. (Just kidding!) The thing is, when we spend time with Jesus, he actually gives us something to preach. Powerful preaching builds faith which results in increased authority to minister.
I can tell you from experience, JD, when I spend time with Jesus, my sermons become more effective and I minister with more authority (power). When I do not, I may fool those around me for awhile, but I know something is missing. My hope is that in the months ahead we both can become more consistent in "being with Jesus."
Here is your first assignment: Get alone for awhile with your Bible. Read these two verses over a few times. Think about them. Write down any insights or ideas you have. Try to avoid writing a sermon unless it is to yourself. (Anyway, I have already done that for you.) Now spend a moment evaluating your life as a minister based on the three callings. Which is most important to you right now? Which brings you the most fulfillment and enjoyment? Do you think it is fair to say that preaching and pastoring are only as effective as being in his presence? Why or why not? Ask Jesus to renew your calling to "be with him."
In Christ
BD
Accreditation and Certification
The Pillsbury Institute of Applied Christianity represents a personal and practical
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The Institute, however, does uphold the highest standards of academic excellence,
ethical conduct, and moral integrity to assure that all the degrees awarded are
absolutely legitimate and totally honorable. The Institute is owned, controlled,
and operated by FreeWay Foundation . . . formerly Christian Civic Foundaiton . . .
a widely respected, legally recognized Christian educational institution originally
chartered (under a different name) by the State of Missouri in 1890.
On August 19, 1992, the Institute received a Certificate of Authorization to operate as
a graduate school from the Coordinating Board for Higher Education of the State of
Missouri. The Institute's video-taped Biblical Counseling track was developed by
the American Association of Christian Counselors, and students who successfully
complete all these prescribed courses receive certification by AACC.